Tool handle



E. R. BROCK TOOL HANDLE June 19, 1934.

Filed June 2. 1932 Patented June 19, 1934 UNITED STATES 1,963,462 'rooL HANDLE Ellis R. Brock, Verbena, Alar, assignor to Economy Tool Manufacturing Company,

Knoxville,

1enn., a corporation of Tennessee Application June 2, 1932, Serial No. 615,048

' 'oi im. (01. 306-28) This invention relates to tool handles and more particularly to fastening means associated with such handles by which they may be readily secured to tools of various types.

The general objcctof the invention isto provide a novel and improved tool handle fastener.

I Although the principles of the present invention may be embodied in handle fastening devices for tools of numerous kinds, there is illustrated and described in the present application a preferred embodiment of the invention in which the tool handle is shown as being applied to a hoe.

In this preferred embodiment, the invention contemplates the provision of a socket provided 7 in one end of the handle for the reception of the suitably formed shank of the tool. Associated with this socket is a latch lever provided with means for resiliently snapping into engagement with certain retaining means formed on the shank of the tool. Provision is also made for the ready detachment of the handle from the tool for the purpose of dismantling the device for storage or shipment or for the application of'the handle to a tool of a different type. I

Other objects and features of novelty will be apparent from the following specification when read in connection with the accompanying drawing in which one embodiment of my invention is illustrated by way of example.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal cross-sectional View of a tool handle embodying the principles of my invention and to which a suitable tool has been applied; I

Figure 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing the handle fastening means in released position;

40' Figure 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken on line 44 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a view in perspective of the latch lever forming a part of my improved handle fastening means; and V Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective View of the forward end of the handle, showing part of the connecting means.

The manipulative portion of the handle 10 may be of any desired type and may be varied in ac- 50 cordance with the kind of tool to which it is applied. In the present instance, this portion of the handle is shown as a straight cylindrical shaft which is preferably constructed of wood. The forward end of this portion of the handle is re- 55 stricted in diameter as at 11 so that it may be readily inserted within the'socket 12 of the ferrule 13 and is adapted to berigidly securedtherein by suitable means such as the headed pin 14.

Forwardly of the ferrule 13 there is provided another socket 15 chiefiyfor the reception of the shank 18 of the tool, which in this instance comprises the hoe 20. Immediately to the rear of the hoe blade, the shank is preferably of narrow cylindrical construction, as indicated at 21, and beyond this portion is formed with a squared section 22. The cylindrical rear end of the shank 18 is modified by the provision of a beveled upper edge 24 and a notch 25 between which is formed the shoulder 26.

As clearly illustrated in Figures 1 and 4 of m the drawing, the axis of the socket 15 is eccentrically disposed with respect to the ferrule 13. The socket 15 is, for the most part, cylindrical but is provided at its forward end with a rectangular transverse notch, as indicated at 28 in Figures 2 and 6. This notch is for the reception of the squared portion 22 of the tool shank, the arrangement preventing rotation of the shank with respect to the handle.

A groove or slot 30 is provided in the upper surface of the forward portion of the ferrule 13 for the reception of the latch lever 31 which is pivoted at 32 between the walls of the slot 30. A portion of the slot or groove 30 is extended as at 35 into the socket 15 to provide an opening through which portions of the latch lever 31 may pass. Forwardly of its pivot point, the latch lever 31 is provided with the lug 37 which is adapted to enter the notch 25 in the toolshank and to prevent the removal of the shank by engagement therewith behind the shoulder 26. The lug 3'7 is held in engagement with the shank by means of the coiled expansion spring 40 which is disposed at the inner end of the socket 15 beneath the rear end 41 of the lever 31.

In applying the shank to the handle, the rear end of the shank is inserted in the socket 15, and upon rearward movement thereof the lug 37 is adapted to ride up the beveled surface 24 until it snaps over the shoulder 26 and into the notch 25. This movement of the latch lug 37 is, of course, accompanied by a pivotal movement of the lever 31 which is opposed by the resilience of the spring 40. In releasing the tool shank from the handle, pressure is applied to the rear end 41 of the lever 31, thus lifting the lug 37 out of the notch 25- and permitting the extraction of the shank 18 from the ferrule.

When no shank is received within the socket, the bridge portion designated 45, which sepano rates the slot from the socket 15 at the forward ends thereof, provides a convenient stop abutment which prevents the forward end of the lever 31 from being depressed too far and the rear end from being projected outwardly beyond the outer surface of the ferrule under the influence of the spring 40. Thus the outer surfaces of the lever 31 and the ferrule 13 are together adapted to conform to a smooth cylindrical contour at all times except during appli cation of the tool shank to the handle.

It will be readily seen that this construction is adapted for use in connecting a great variety of tools with their appropriately designed hane dles and is not limited in any sense to agricultural implements but may be applied to a great variety of tools. Furthermore, various changes and modifications may be made in the embodiment disclosed without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claim.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

into said notch and is adapted to receive said shank, a squared portion on said generally circular shank near the base thereof adapted, when the device is assembled, to fit snugly within said rectangular notch and prevent relative rotation between said tool and said handle, an attenuated rearwardly projecting portion of said shank adapted to fit snugly within said cylindrical socket and provided with an intermediate recess and an inclined surface at its tip, the wall of said ferrule having a longitudinal slot therein communicating with the interior of said socket, a latch lever pivoted intermediate its ends within said slot, a coiled spring disposed within the inner end of said socket for urging the rear end of said lever outwardly, a projection on said lever adapted to be displaced by contact with said inclined surface in applying the tool shank and to snap into position within said recess when in applied position in order to lock the shank to said ferrule, the outer surface of said ferrule being provided with a groove forming a continuation of said slot and extending from said slot to the extreme outer end of said ferrule, said groove adapted to receive the forward end of said lever, and a bridge portion separating said socket from said groove at the forward end of said ferrule and adapted to provide a stop abutment for the forward end of said lever when said shank is removed from said socket.

ELLIS R. BROCK. 

